6 1 8 The yournal of Forestry. 



wood itself, 'such as noble single trees or groups of such, lakes, 

 streams, cliffs, &c. 7. To avoid extremes cf inclination as well as 

 swamps and low-lying situations. 



The width of all wood roads and rides should be proportioned to 

 the extent of the plantation, as what might be sufficient for an 

 enclosure of from twenty to fifty acres would appear contemptible in 

 a wood several hundreds of acres in area. In the latter, main 

 roads may be from twenty-four to thirty feet wide, though only 

 such a breadth need be metalled as will permit carriages to pass 

 each other. If the material taken from the side ditches be 

 thrown into the centre of the road, the necessary convexity may be 

 obtained, and soundness secured — a great point where the turfed sides 

 are generally chosen by equestrians. Here a coating of good stone 

 seven or eight inches in thickness will generally be sufficient, if laid 

 on a firm bottom. It is, however, never advisable in forming such a 

 road to place the broken stone immediately upon very stiff or reteu- 

 tive clay, as such clay by its great absorption of water and consequent 

 expansion in wet seasons, and its contraction under solar influences, 

 keeps the road open and loose. A few inches of good burnt ballast, 

 or even a layer of vegetable mould, placed between the stone and the 

 clay will remedy this. 



Good open ditches at the sides are generally sufficient for the 

 drainage of such roads ; but where the land is springy it may be 

 advisable to cut a very narrow trench along the middle, giving it 

 outlets to the sides, and fill up with broken stone. 



As a feeling of security adds so much to the enjoyment of a ride 

 or drive, and as large open ditches close to the sides of the road are 

 generally unsightly and always dangerous, it is questionable if such 

 ought not to be concealed immediately behind the front line of 

 trees or shrubs. In some places, owing to great inequalities of sur- 

 face, it becomes necessary to cut a ditch of more than ordinary depth, 

 whereby the danger is increased. When such are partially concealed 

 their sides may be hcnchccl or stepped, and their upper portion planted. 

 In excavating side ditches their slopes must of course depend upon 

 the nature of the soil and its susceptibility to atmospheric influence. 

 Alternate layers of clay and sand are very liable to slip. As a rule 

 about 1| of base to 1 perpendicular will be a good slope, though it 

 may sometimes be necessary to exceed this. 



"Where low-lying and boggy places have to be crossed, it is cus- 

 tomary to bottom the road with bavins or fagots. In practice we 

 have found larch and alder useful for this purpose ; and for a few 

 years such a roadway may be fairly souud and dry; but when decay 

 sets in the stone is rapidly swallowed up in the rotten wood, and the 

 road is ruined. Better far to secure good drainage, and give an extra 



